Court Blocks Texas from Investigating Trans Kids’ Families
temporary injunction blocking Paxton’s office from demanding the information, writing that “immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to PFLAG and its members” if Paxton’s office is able to obtain information about the group’s members, which number close to 600 in Texas alone.
Under the terms of the restraining order, Paxton’s office may not attempt to stop PFLAG from operating for refusing to hand over documents and identifying information about its members, especially those who may have reached out to the national pro-LGBTQ advocacy group to determine how to seek gender-affirming care out of state.Paxton’s office may also not demand information from PFLAG revealing the identities of its members, officers, employees, lawyers, volunteers, or donors.Paxton’s office claimed their demand for PFLAG documents, issued in early February, was part of an effort to investigate whether medical providers were violating Texas’s law banning them from prescribing gender-affirming treatments like puberty blockers and hormones to minors.PFLAG filed a lawsuit last month asking for a temporary restraining order and relief to protect the identities and privacy of its members.
In response to the lawsuit, Paxton’s office accused PFLAG of attempting to conceal information about medical providers who might be “committing insurance fraud” by circumventing Texas’s ban, reports NBC News.On March 1, PFLAG, along with Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Transgender Law Center, obtained a temporary restraining order blocking Paxton’s office from retaliating against the organization.
That order remained in effect until March 25, when Meachum issued her injunction, using the same legal rationale.Meachum also noted in her order that she believed there is “a substantial likelihood” that PFLAG will prevail in its lawsuit, alleging that demanding the information violates its members’ constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of association.That case is.
